Howdy-ho and good morning! It’s been a while since we’ve browsed together through online needlework resources for inspiration, instruction, and interesting resources!

This morning, that’s what we’re going to do. You might savor delving into some discoveries over the weekend, too! There’s plenty here to explore, especially if you’re looking forward to a wet and rainy weekend like I am!

So, get comfortable, grab a cup of your favorite morning libation, and let’s have a bit of a wander together…

Thread Painting Basics

Over on The Sharp Needler, Margaret Cobleigh has detailed the development of some beautiful thread painting on stems and leaves. Definitely an article worth reading, if you want to explore needlepainting!

Pay special attention to the veins on those leaves. They just set the leaves off perfectly.

Margaret is a needlepainting genius. I’m always in awe of her meticulously perfected skills.

Schwalm Sampler from Around the World

For fans of whitework, you won’t want to miss the “Global Schwalm Sampler” that Luzine Happel has been sharing on her blog. The most recent update features four exquisite Schwalm pieces – one from the UK, one from France, and two from Australia. While the techniques are traditional, some of the motifs have a little more of a modern zing. All of them are exquisite.

Luzine is an expert in Schwalm whitework embroidery and her books and blog are an invaluable resource for inspiration and instruction. Another blog worth exploring in depth! This series has been especially fun to watch develop.

Ecclesiastical Embroidery

A Few Practical Hints on Church Embroidery is an interesting, short pamphlet.

I like the sketches at the very end. There are some nice, close-up details that are useful for embroidering these types of motifs.

It’s a super short little pamphlet.

The Ladies’ World Embroidery Book

And speaking of old books, The Ladies’ World Embroidery Book is worth a short browse. There are some design bits in there that could be enlarged.

I also like the cover!

Old Fashioned Monograms

And speaking of old books with design bits, L’Art dans la lingerie : dessins de broderie is packed full of classic French monogram styles. Nice!

Online Workshop for Couching

This year, a gazillion (ok, that could be a slight exaggeration) needlework designers have turned to online platforms to make up for the cancellations of face-to-face workshops.

Natalie Dupuis is offering an online workshop on couching (she’s very well known for her couched goldwork embroideries). If you’re interested in taking the humble couching stitch just a bit farther and seeing how much you can actually do with it, you should check out her workshop. You’ll find registration links and an introductory video on her website here.

Needlework Accessories & Gifts

Over the next few weeks, I’m going to review in depth a few needlework tools and accessories that I’ve come into contact with lately. This is just a quick mention of something that I think is kind of fun, if you’re looking for something different for gift-giving for your needlework-loving friends.

I know a lot of stitchers like to meet for “stitch and sip” groups, or like to relax with a bit of wine while stitching with friends. While I’m not really a drinker, I think this particular tumbler is a lot of fun and would make a great gift for someone who likes to wine while stitching. It’s insulated, and it has a lid with a kind of gasket around it, to reduce the possibility of spills or splashes.

You’ll find this (and other styles) at this neat little family business out of North Carolina called Joseph’s Workshop. It’s not just needlework stuff, but there’s a needleworker in the family, so there’s a wide selection of needlework-related accessories and gifts available, as well as some kits. Lots of wooden needle minders, too.

No affiliation – I just think some of the products are fun!

New Jersey & Embroidery

Earlier this year – before Lockdown 2020 – I travelled to New York City and saw, on the Jersey side of the Lincoln Tunnel, a banner about New Jersey being the embroidery capital of the US, or something to that effect.

A little research, and next thing I knew, I was digging into the embroidery industry in the US during the early 20th century and running up to the 1980’s. This is the tale of the industrial, machine-embroidery business, not hand embroidery. Nevertheless, it’s an important part of textile history here in the States, and as such, I found it increasingly intriguing the more I dug about.

For those who want a brief overview, I thought this article on the industry – and the machines – was pretty interesting!

An 18th Century Pretty Thing

This is a very pretty example of late 18th century embroidery worked on a dress and petticoat of very fine Indian muslin.

Embroidery on an 18th Century Silk Apron

Check out this article on learning embroidery by studying the embroidery on an 18th century silk apron.

Sort of embroidery-history-geeky stuff, but I love it!

Beaded or Embroidered?

Nancy Lawrence is an author of Regency-related novels and such. I’ve never read her work, but, on her blog, I came across this article that I thought was pretty darned fascinating!

If you like historical costuming, the Regency period, and so forth, you might find it interesting, too. It’s a Regency-era linen gown that, at first, looks embroidered. Then she discovers it’s not really what we picture as traditional Regency-era embroidery.

Boy’s Embroidered Waistcoat

Speaking of historical embroidery on clothes, this overview of a boy’s embroidery waistcoat caught my eye. Snazzy!

The End

I’m sure there are many other things I’m supposed to mention to you right now. I had a list. But my cup is empty – long empty – and the day begs for work to begin.

I didn’t finish my Jacobean Sea piece last week, but I’ll finish it today, hopefully. We have a big family wedding this weekend, so I probably won’t get much stitching accomplished.

I’m still plugging away on a few design collections and a project e-book for you. I’m not plugging very quickly, though, am I? The voided monograms and heart design are still in the works. I’ve also got some floche collections ready to go with them, so that you don’t have to seek out threads.

You’ll still find a small trickle of ready-to-stitch towels in the shop, while I work through the remainder of my towel stash.

I’ve also been working on putting together a limited supply of ready-to-stitch linen tea cloths (30″ square) that can be used as accent cloths on a table. It’s a fine, beautiful linen fabric, and I’m planning to make them a special order item that allows you to pick the design you want. So that’s coming up!

Finally, I’ve been piddling with my Thousand Flower designs that I mentioned on Wednesday, charting a new design that – once it’s stitched (probably next millennium) – I’m going to make into a small treasure box. It’s just an idea that’s been eating at me for a while! So I figured I’d set it up…

Too many ideas, too little time!

Enjoy your weekend!